SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield filed a federal lawsuit against SFW Construction on allegations the residential contractor used a hidden contract clause to stop dissatisfied customers from posting negative online reviews while promoting only positive feedback.
SFW Construction is based in Portland, but they have locations in Eugene, including Eugene Siding Repair and Eugene Dry Rot Repair.
The case, filed Tuesday in federal court, alleges SFW Construction included a gag clause in its customer contracts and did not tell potential customers about the restriction. The complaint says the company has used a standard contract with Oregon customers since 2022 that limits customers’ ability to post negative reviews. At the same time, the lawsuit says, SFW’s website features “glowing customer reviews.”…